Frank Ocean fans hoped that he would release something before his Coachella performance this weekend. However, it’s new music Friday, and seemingly nothing has popped up from the former Odd Future superstar. Still, his fanbase and the music community at large is eagerly anticipating his headlining slot at the music festival this Sunday (April 16). In fact, discussion and anticipation around the performance is so big that he started to trend on Twitter just because fans lamented he didn’t drop anything this week. That being said, there are a little over 48 hours left before he takes the Coachella stage. If there’s anything fans know about the 35-year-old, it’s that anything can happen in that timeframe.
Despite fans being mostly in the dark, they spotted some compelling hints recently of his upcoming performance. While we know nothing of a future Frank Ocean drop, some onlookers did spot a rehearsal for his Coachella slot recently. In a short social media clip that made the rounds online, you can faintly hear his track “Nights” playing on festival grounds in the distance. For anyone living near the festival desert, it must be a blessing (or a noise-complaint-prompting curse) for people to be close to the magic.
Frank Ocean Is (Almost) Silent Before Festival Return
Also, another picture surfaced online that was an edited picture of the “Pyramids” singer- but many thought it was his new look. Sporting a fuzzy beard and long-locked hair, people quickly identified that it was an edited version of a previous picture of Frank Ocean. Still, that didn’t stop people from putting all their hopes in a picture for new music. However, there was another recent public appearance that led fans to believe he was slowly coming out of his shell and into the public eye more. Fans spotted him watching Omar Apollo open for SZA during her “SOS” tour, even though that doesn’t mean much as far as his now hints towards something new.
For example, through a poster for his vinyl reissue of Blonde, he told a story that many interpreted as a hint towards new music. Basically, it revolves around “a fictitious Recording Artist” that tries to drop singles instead of albums. This mirrors Frank Ocean’s run of singles following the release of Endless and Blonde. In the end, though, it hints at the “Recording Artist” pursuing “more durational bodies of work” once again. With that in mind, log back into HNHH for the latest on Frank Ocean and check out reactions to his lack of drops before Coachella down below.
frank ocean is (supposedly) performing on sunday at coachella. reddit is recovering from the delusion that he would actually drop new music at midnight to coincide pic.twitter.com/MXFH0LGbrl
The only way to be a true Frank ocean fan is to accept he drops when he drops and don’t expect shit. You gotta treat Frank ocean like a dead artist. Hope they find some music he completed and it’ll be released one day, but until then, he dropped two classic 10/10 masterpieces
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) April 14, 2023
Not to give you guys hope or anything but you have to remember it’s Frank Ocean, he could drop any day of the week at anytime, it doesn’t need to be a Friday at midnight. Blonde dropped on a Saturday during the day.
As of this post, it’s just a matter of hours before the 2023 Coachella festival kicks off. Bad Bunny is set to close out the first day with a performance tonight (find the full list of set times for this first weekend here). Before that, though, he took to Instagram to set the table for a revealing set.
The post shared yesterday (April 13) includes a gallery of Bad Bunny photos and the caption, “tengo mucho que decirles, pero mejor les digo mañana en Coachella…,” which Instagram automatically translates to, “I have so much to tell you, but I better tell you tomorrow at Coachella…”
That came after he told Billboard in late 2022, “I’m taking a break. 2023 is for me, for my physical health, my emotional health to breathe, enjoy my achievements. We’re going to celebrate. Let’s go here, let’s go there, let’s go on the boat. I have a couple of sporadic commitments, and I’ll go to the studio, but there’s no pressure. Remember yourself, cabrón. You’ve worked your ass off.”
In January, Coachella confirmed Bad Bunny as this year’s Friday headliner (April 14 and 21) — making him the first-ever Latin artist to headline the iconic festival — and one day ahead of what is sure to be an epic set, we finally know exactly what time Bad Bunny will take the Coachella Stage.
Coachella officially shared all set times for tomorrow, April 14, and Bad Bunny is expected to start his set at 11:25 p.m. PT on the Coachella stage.
The main stage will host Gorillaz (8:35 to 9:50 p.m.), Burna Boy (7:05 to 7:55 p.m.), Becky G (5:45 to 6:30 p.m.), Pusha T (4:30 to 5:15 p.m.), Doechii (3:30 to 4:10 p.m.), and Record Safari (2:50 to 3:25 p.m.) before giving way to Bad Bunny.
Bad Bunny shared with Billboardtoward the end of last year that he envisioned this year as one for rest, so it would be wise to take advantage of watching him perform in any capacity.
“I’m taking a break,” he told the publication. “2023 is for me, for my physical health, my emotional health to breathe, enjoy my achievements. We’re going to celebrate. Let’s go here, let’s go there, let’s go on the boat. I have a couple of sporadic commitments, and I’ll go to the studio, but there’s no pressure. Remember yourself, cabrón. You’ve worked your ass off.”
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Festival attendees are restless for set times to know when to rush to stages to see their favorite performers, and finally, they’re out. Ocean’s highly anticipated set for the first weekend will be taking place at 10:05 p.m. PT on the Coachella stage, so concertgoers have to make sure to stick around late to catch him.
The Blonde musician was rumored to play Coachella before he was announced as a headliner. He was supposed to perform at the festival in 2020, which ended up being canceled due to COVID-19. He was unavailable for the 2022 dates, with festival co-founder Paul Tollett saying, “Right now, it’s the Wild West. I’m just trying to be as fair as I can to artists and to the fans to make sure that eventually they get to see everyone that we talked about.”
Other exciting acts taking the stage the same day as Frank include GloRilla, Fousheé, A Boogie With Da Hoodie, Latto, Rae Sremmurd, Sudan Archives, Noname, IDK, Dominic Fike, Willow, Pi’erre Bourne, and more. Find the full lineup here.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Then, during a recent Instagram Live session (as Complex notes), The Weeknd told somebody off camera, “You just said ‘see you in the desert’ on Live. Exposed,” seemingly indicating that they “exposed” his surprise Coachella appearance.
On top of that, fan Twitter account @abelstargirllll shared a graphic of The Weeknd yesterday (April 12) and wrote, “THE WEEKND WILL PERFORM AT COACHELLA THIS YEAR.” While that in itself isn’t a big deal, The Weeknd retweeted the post.
The Weeknd could potentially make guest appearances during other sets, as some of his collaborators/associates are performing, like Metro Boomin, Calvin Harris, and Kaytranada. He could also pop up during Blackpink’s headlining performance, considering he and the group’s Jennie star in the upcoming HBO series The Idol together.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Coachella is nearly here: The first weekend starts tomorrow (Friday, April 14). Now, though, festivalgoers can start planning in more detail what they want the weekend to look like: Hours ago, Coachella unveiled the set times for the next few days (which include a previously unannounced performance from Blink-182).
Check out the set times for this first weekend below. All times are p.m. and PT.
Coachella is rapidly approaching. While you’re figuring out your artist itinerary, have you bothered to ask yourself what you’re going to eat? That might seem like less of a priority while you’re figuring out how to juggle seeing all your favorites hit the stage but you should probably know that like the musical lineup this year, the food lineup is stacked.
You’re not just going to be choosing whether to grab a slice of pizza or a cheeseburger, you’re going to have to decide if you’re down for a 16-course omakase and sake pairing, which Michelin-starred restaurant is worth your valuable time and money, which innovated chef is going to blow your mind and… well, which slice of pizza or cheeseburger you’re going to pick up.
With over 60 food vendors and hundreds of dishes, it’s a lot to take in, which is why we’re simplifying the process for you by shouting out the 10 food and drink spots and dishes we’re most hyped for. Since Los Angeles-based restaurants, bars, and food spaces are making an appearance this year, I’ve had a lot of personal experience with many of these menus, so I’m going to lean towards those since I can guarantee they’ll be mind-blowing. But, there are a few gems here from out of state that also come with a lot of hype.
I’m also going to put a special emphasis on handheld foods that you can eat on the go. As dope as a family-style dinner is, you’re at a music festival, so I’m going to assume you’re here for the music. Let’s get you back on the grounds ASAP. For a preview of the full culinary lineup, check out our exclusive look here.
Whether you’ve copped a VIP ticket or you’re just going general admission, every section of the festival gets some love on our list. We’re also telling you where on the grounds to find each vendor, and our best guess for the price (don’t expect us to be 100% on this, but expect us to be eerily close, we have our ways).
Let’s dive into the dishes and vendors you don’t want to miss at this year’s Coachella.
Bang Bang Noodles — Szechuan Garlic Noodles
Bang Bang Noodles
Expected Price: $16
Where To Find:
12 Peaks VIP
Why It’s Essential:
Started by brothers Nelson and Robert Lee, this LA street food turned brick-and-mortar food spot quickly gained notoriety and attention thanks to Robert Lee’s eye-catching mouth-watering flavor-packed take on Chinese Biang Biang noodles. Lee has extensive culinary experience and cut his teeth cooking in Michelin-star restaurants, which is why we’re excited for the Coachella crowd to get its first taste of Bang Bang’s now-famous Szechuan Garlic Noodles.
The noodle dish, which is served with your choice of beef or mushrooms, utilizes hand-pulled noodles, a gentle but flavorful Szechuan sauce, and appetizing garlic, onion, and cilantro aromatics that make the dish a treat for all of our senses.
Camphor — Le Cheeseburger
Camphor
Expected Price: $20.99
Where To Find:
12 Peaks VIP
Why It’s Essential:
One of Downtown Los Angeles’ culinary gems, Camphor is a modern bistro led by respected chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George and is all about combining casual and elevated eats (with a strong influence from Southeastern Asia) with classic French flavors and culinary techniques. It’s incredibly modern, and while the special Family-Style tasting menu the restaurant is bringing sounds appealing, we’re going to suggest you keep it simple with the Le Cheeseburger.
Hitting up a super trendy LA bistro and getting a burger might seem like a waste of Boonthanakit and George’s culinary expertise, but then sitting down for a family-style dinner in the desert also sounds like a vibe killer. The Le Cheeseburger will keep you on your feet while still treating your tastebuds to one of the best burgers you’ve ever had.
Seriously, the way the meat melts in your mouth is unlike any burger you’ve yet to experience, guaranteed, and the way it combines with the smoked gouda is absolute culinary perfection. Don’t forget the fries!
Dave’s Hot Chicken — Chicken Sliders
Dave
Expected Price: $16
Where To Find:
V7
Why It’s Essential:
Have you ever had a chicken sandwich that makes you exclaim after first bite, ‘This is the best chicken sandwich I’ve ever had’? Well, you will, once you bite into the Dave’s Hot Chicken Slider, and trust us when we tell you that, we’ve been ranking chicken sandwiches for a while now and while Dave’s has yet to appear on a list, right now in 2023, it’s our top pick, no contest.
Available in seven different heat levels (no spice, lite mild, mild, medium, hot, extra hot, and reaper), this slider is topped with earthy kale slaw, thick-cut pickles, and Dave’s sauce, and instantly ignites your tastebuds and floods your brain with serotonin. The sauce is a mix of savory mayo, a bit of citrus, and a heavy blend of pepper, cayenne, and paprika, for a creamy and complex sauce that will blow your mind.
Yes, it’s that good. Go with whatever heat level you’re comfortable with, but we strongly suggest opting for mild or medium for the best experience that doesn’t feel like a challenge.
Kogi — Loaded Korean BBQ Fries
Kogi/ Terry Smith
Expected Price: $14
Where To Find:
Indio Central Market
Why It’s Essential:
When I found out Kogi wasn’t going to be bringing its delicious Korean tacos and burritos to the Coachella grounds, I was incensed. But knowing that they’ll be bringing the Loaded Korean BBQ fries in tow… I ain’t mad. A tricked-out take on the brand’s Korean Spiced Fries, the Loaded version features the same bed of beer-battered fries tossed with chili salt topped with cheese, caramelized kimchi, salsa rosa, crushed sesame seeds, and Kogi’s short ribs.
It’s the perfect marriage of Mexican and Korean flavors offering up a taste of Los Angeles that makes clear why the city is the ultimate culinary destination. That’s right, I said it, come at my NYC and Texas.
Ronan — Margherita Pie
Ronan
Expected Price: $23
Where To Find:
12 Peaks VIP
Why It’s Essential:
Helping to make the case that LA is just as good if not better than New York as a pizza hotspot, Chef Daniel Cutler’s Ronan delivers Neapolitan-style pizza that is always prepared with local produce and the finest ingredients and is the pizza spot at Coachella we’re the most psyched about. That’s partly because of the three or four in attendance, it’s the only one we’ve tried, but we wouldn’t suggest a pizza joint to you if it wasn’t absolutely mind-blowing.
While my instinct is to suggest the Spicy Chomper, which features tomato, soppressata, and a four-cheese blend, we’ve given enough love to the meat-eaters in this list, so we’re going to take some time to highlight the equally good Margherita.
Made with San Marzano tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and pecorino Calabrese, this Margherita pizza is fresh, fragrant, sweet, savory, and light, while still satisfying the way a meat pie does with the perfect fire-charred crust.
You don’t want to miss this pizza spot, especially if you’re an East Coaster who thinks the great pizza debate is settled.
Block Party — Malamente
Block Party
Expected Price: Unknown
Where To Find:
Outdoor Theater Bar
Why It’s Essential:
No bar captures the magic of Los Angeles quite like visiting Block Party at golden hour. With a great soundtrack and communal vibe, the Highland Park staple is one of our very favorite bars in all of Los Angeles so I’m excited to see how Block Party brings its magical vibe to Indio.
Since Block Party is bringing a special menu of headliner-themed drinks to Coachella, it’s a little hard to pick just one to be excited about so I’m just going to go with Malamente (not pictured), since it’s named for Rosalía, the artist I’m most excited to see.
The Malamente includes Malfi Gin with pink grapefruit, rosemary, and some CO2 for a fizzy body.
El Chino Grande — Chashao Roast Pork ’n Rice
El Chino Grande
Expected Price: $20
Where To Find:
Craft Beer Barn
Why It’s Essential:
El Chino Grande serves up Taiwanese night market street fare by way of modern San Francisco cuisine. With a menu headed by Chef Christoper Yang, a San Francisco Magazine Rising Star Chef award winner, we couldn’t be more psyched to try El Chino Grande’s Chashao Roast Pork ’n Rice which features a bowl of short grain rice topped with roast pork belly, chashao tare, cabbage slaw, pickles and togarashi mayo.
El Chino Grande is one of the few culinary experiences at Coachella I haven’t yet experienced, but the food pop-up is part of Hén-Zhì, the team of Marcelle Gonzalez Yang and Chef Christopher Yang who are also behind the SF Mission District food spot Piglet & Co, which is excellent! Considering El Chino Grande comes from the same genius minds, we’re psyched and confident enough to make the recommendation.
Cena Vegan — Big Vegan Nachos
Cena Vegan
Expected Price: $20
Where To Find:
Indio Central Market
Why It’s Essential:
Admittedly, there aren’t a lot of vegan food spots on this list. So, we couldn’t let you go without giving at least one strong suggestion for those who only consume a plant-based diet — be sure to hit up Cena Vegan. Not only is it one of the food options we’re most hyped for at this year’s Coachella, it’s one of the best vendors selling Mexican food at the entire festival, and I’m not sure if you know this or not, but you can make some seriously delicious Mexican food using only plant-based ingredients.
With a menu inspired by authentic Mexican street food, we can’t wait to try Cena Vegan’s Big Vegan Nacho Boat, which features the plant-based meat of your choice (al pastor-style, carne asada-style, carnitas-style, birria-style, polla asado-style, barbacoa-style) over a bed of freshly made tortilla chips, pico de Gallo, salsa, and guacamole. It’s so good even hardcore meat-eaters will be won over by the fresh flavors.
Trill Burgers — Trill OG Burger (Vegan Trill OG Burger)
Becca Wright/Trill Burgers
Expected Price: $15 / $18
Where To Find:
V7
Why It’s Essential:
I know we already highlighted a burger, but all do respect to Camphor and its ‘Le Cheeseburger,’ sometimes you just want a classic, greasy, no-nonsense smash burger, which is why we’re hyped to finally get a taste of Houston staple Trill Burgers.
The smash burger concept is beloved by Travis Scott, Buster Rhymes, TI, Juvenile, and Fat Joe, and if it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for all of us! The Trill OG burger features two smash patties, curly caramelized onions, American cheese, pickles, and trill sauce, offering up all the classic burger staples without any of those watery vegetables like lettuce and tomato getting in the way.
Best of all, the Trill burger is also available with a plant-based meat patty, which means this is truly a burger spot for everyone!
PDT — Sweet Tea Smash
Eric Medsker/PDT
Expected Price: Unknown
Where To Find:
Secret Speakeasy Terrace South (access by finding a phone booth in the terrace)
Why It’s Essential:
The famed NYC speakeasy from the East Village, PDT (which stands for Please Don’t Tell), is coming to Coachella and even though I’ve never been to the OG PDT I have to admit, I’m intrigued. Partly because I’ve heard nothing but good things about PDT from east coast friends, and mostly because the speakeasy is located underground. We’re not talking about the NYC location, we mean at Coachella, PDT will be underground.
What does that mean? What will it look like? What will the vibe be? We just have to find out, and we’re willing to bet you feel the same way.
This is another place we’ll be going into blind so I’m just going to suggest the best-sounding drink on the menu, the Sweet Tea Smash (not pictured), which features iced tea, Smooth Ambler Bourbon, lemon, peach, and mint.
pic.twitter.com/fLC2Mgapbl
(@raptalksk) April 14, 2023
(@big_business_) April 14, 2023
(@hwasteahouse) April 14, 2023
pic.twitter.com/Tgf0BqJ6Mv
?
(@stxorgirl) 
